Autonomous vehicle with trailer

ABSTRACT

An autonomous system for transporting an item from a first location to a second location includes an autonomous vehicle and a trailer. The autonomous vehicle includes a compartment, a vehicle sensor, a vehicle drive mechanism, a vehicle power source, and a vehicle control module for controlling the vehicle drive mechanism. The trailer includes a hitch for connecting the trailer to the autonomous vehicle, an electrical system, a trailer sensor in communication with the electrical system, a trailer power source in communication with the electrical system, a storage space, and a mechanism for autonomously transferring the item from the storage space into the compartment of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle and trailer are configured to transport the item to the first location, the trailer is configured to transfer the item to the autonomous vehicle, and the autonomous vehicle is configured to transport the item to the second location.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to the field of autonomousvehicles and, more specifically to autonomous vehicles with trailersthat are configured to carry and deliver items from one location toanother.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may or may not constitute priorart.

Delivery truck drivers and salespeople pick up, transport, and drop offpackages, food delivery, prescription drugs, and small shipments withina local region or urban area. Merchandise is transported from adistribution center, or local business to other businesses andhouseholds. The delivery service is fragmented, unoptimizedlogistically, and many areas are underserved, and services are limitedto certain times of the day and week instead of twenty-four hours sevendays a week, year around. The vehicles used in delivery most often donot have storage with a temperature-controlled compartment to carry coldor hot features for temperature sensitive goods, in addition, thesevehicles do not have sensors such as weight, temperature humidity, etc.to monitor the environmental conditions of the cargo. Other vehicles donot deliver to the last step or at the door services due to stairs orelevators, they deliver only to the curbside. In addition, drivers andworkers have low average wages, and poor benefits. The carbon footprintof the delivery industry is large and has large negative consequences onthe environment in congestion and pollution.

There is also a demand for moving small items that do not fit small ormedium size cars for consumers. A consumer who buys a chair or a bigpainting for example has to rent a trailer or a small truck, oralternatively pay for delivery with longer wait times and inconvenientdelivery time and higher cost as a percentage of the item purchased.

Therefore, there is a need for a more efficient and convenient systemfor delivering items or goods from one location to another. The deliverysystem should be autonomous and reduce the need for human interventionin the task of delivering an item.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment of present invention, an electric micro semi-truckvehicle includes of a robot vehicle and a trailer dynamically connectedthereto. The micro semi-truck is guided by a combination of anautonomous system, as well as a system remotely monitored by humans. Therobot vehicle is powered by a battery and has its owntemperature-controlled storage and is disengable from the trailer tomake deliveries. The trailer has its own battery and is capable ofnavigating as an independent vehicle and make deliveries or followanother vehicle. Both the robot vehicle and the trailer are used fordelivering goods, services, and humans, they both have storagecompartments that are temperature controlled. The vehicles operate withmobility-as-a-service purpose for on demand and scheduled servicerelating to delivery, as well as trailing behind other vehicle attachedor unattached to carry goods. The robot vehicle and trailer operate asan autonomous delivery system for delivering goods and services on openroads and sidewalks, and enclosed spaces such as hospitals, prisons,municipal and government facilities, care facilities and industrialfacilities.

Further aspects, examples, and advantages will become apparent byreference to the following description and appended drawings whereinlike reference numbers refer to the same component, element or feature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary autonomous vehicle;

FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the autonomous vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the autonomous vehicle;

FIG. 4 is a side schematic view of the autonomous vehicle;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the autonomous vehicle with a trailer;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the trailer;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the autonomous vehicle with an autonomoustrailer;

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the autonomous trailer;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the autonomous vehicle and autonomous trailerwith an item moving mechanism; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of the autonomous vehicle andautonomous trailer with another embodiment of an item moving mechanism.

DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, an autonomous vehicle is generallyindicated by reference number 10. The autonomous vehicle 10 is generallyused for transporting an item from at least a first location to at leasta second location autonomously. The first location and the secondlocation may be in any number of places within a locality or range ofthe autonomous vehicle 10. For example, specific use cases of theautonomous vehicle 10 include transporting medicine between variouslocations in a hospital, transporting lab equipment within a lab,transporting items within an office building or warehouse, transportingitems from a distribution hub to a residence, etc. Thus, the autonomousvehicle 10 is sized to navigate effectively indoors and has performancecharacteristics sufficient to operate on roads.

The autonomous vehicle 10 generally includes a drive assembly 12, avehicle body 14, and a display assembly 16. The drive assembly 12includes a vehicle frame 18 that supports a first set of guide wheels20A and a second set of guide wheels 20B. The first set of guide wheels20A are rotatably mounted on a first side 18A of the vehicle frame 18and the second set of guide wheels 20B are rotatably mounted on a secondside 18B of the vehicle frame 18. In the example provided, each set ofguide wheels 20A, 20B include three guide wheels, though it should beappreciated that more or less guide wheels may be employed. A first roadwheel 22A is rotatably engaged with the first set of guide wheels 20Awhile a second road wheel 22B is rotatably engaged with the second setof guide wheels 20B.

A pair of electric motors 24 (only one of which is shown schematicallyin FIG. 4) are mounted within the vehicle frame 18. Each electric motor24 drives an output shaft 26 (only one of which is shown). The outputshafts 26 are each connected to rotate a drive wheel 28 (only one ofwhich is shown). Each drive wheel 28 is rotatably engaged with one ofthe road wheels 22A, 22B. The electric motors 24 supply a driving forceto the drive wheels 28 and thus to the road wheels 22A, 22B to move theautonomous vehicle 10. The electric motors 24 may be operatedindependently and rotated in two directions, thus allowing theautonomous vehicle 10 to move forward, backwards, and to turn left andright depending on which of the electric motors 24 is activated and inwhich direction the output shafts 26 are rotated. In one example, athird road wheel or rear wheel 30 is mounted to a rear 31 of the vehicleframe 18 to help support the autonomous vehicle 10. The rear wheel 30may be covered by a housing 32 and may pivot with respect to the vehicleframe 18. An example of a drive assembly 12 is described in FR3052739A1filed Jun. 21, 2016, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The vehicle body 14 is mounted to the drive assembly 12 and generallyprovides storage and mounting points for various features of theautonomous vehicle 10. The vehicle body 14 includes exterior side walls40 and interior walls 42. The exterior side walls 40 are connected tothe side walls 18A, 18B of the vehicle frame 18 of the drive assembly12. The interior walls 42 define a first compartment 44 and a secondcompartment, or delivery portal, 46. The first compartment 44 isaccessible via a first opening 48 located on a top surface 50 of thevehicle body 14. A door 52 is rotatably hinged to the top surface 50 andselectively covers the first opening 48. The second compartment 46 isaccessible via a second opening 54 located on a front side 56 of thevehicle body 14. A drawer 58 is slidably disposed within the secondcompartment 46. In one embodiment, the door 52 is actuated by a device60 such as an electric motor, servo, or other actuator. The device 60opens and closes the door 52 to allow access into the first compartment44. Likewise, the drawer 58 is actuated by a device 62, such as anelectric motor coupled to a rack and pinion or a servo controlledarmature, to slide the drawer 58 out of and into the compartment 44. Inanother embodiment, the drawer 58 includes a hinged bottom 66. When thedrawer 58 is extended out from the vehicle body 14, the hinged bottom 66pivots down and drops any object disposed in the drawer 58. When thedrawer 58 is retracted into the vehicle body 14, the hinged bottom 66 isforced to pivot closed as the drawer 58 moves into the vehicle body 14.In yet another embodiment, the first compartment 44 communicates withthe second compartment 46 within the vehicle body 14. Thus, an objectplaced in the first compartment 44 when the door 52 is open will dropinto the drawer 58 in the second compartment 46. Both the door 52 andthe drawer 58 may include locking mechanisms that prevent the door 52and the drawer 58 from opening.

In one embodiment, a temperature control device 67 is connected to thefirst compartment 44 and/or the second compartment 46. The temperaturecontrol device 67 is a heating and/or cooling mechanism that isconfigured to regulate a temperature of the environment within the firstcompartment 44 and/or the second compartment 46. The vehicle body 14 mayinclude insulation surrounding the compartments 44, 46 to assist intemperature control.

The display assembly 16 is attached to the front side 56 of the vehiclebody 14 above the second opening 54. The display assembly 16 includes atouchscreen user interface and display 68 for receiving and displayinginformation. In one embodiment, a lighting bar 70 is mounted to thedisplay assembly 16 to provide information regarding use, visibility,feedback, etc. In another embodiment, one or more cameras or depthsensors is mounted to the display assembly 16 to read gestures, detectfacial features, assist in the user interface of the touchscreen display68, etc. In yet another embodiment, the display assembly 16 is hinged tothe vehicle body 14. The display assembly 16 is moveable between atleast a first position and a second position relative to the vehiclebody 14. In the first position, the display assembly 16 is rotated awayfrom the vehicle body 14, as shown in FIG. 1. When in the firstposition, the autonomous vehicle 10 operates normally. When the displayassembly 16 is moved to the second position, shown in FIG. 4, thedisplay assembly 16 is rotated adjacent the vehicle body 14 and a stopcommand is generated to halt the autonomous vehicle 10. Thus, thedisplay assembly 16 acts as an easily accessible quick stop mechanism tointerrupt the travel of the autonomous vehicle 10.

The autonomous vehicle 10 further includes a sensor suite used toprovide lane and path navigation as well as object detection. In theexample provided, the sensor suite includes front sensors 74 and a LiDARsensor 76. The front sensors 74 may include cameras or ultrasonicsensors. The front sensors 74 are mounted to a forward-facing portion ofthe drive assembly 12, though the front sensors 74 may be mounted to thevehicle body 14. The LiDAR sensor 76 is mounted to the top surface 50 ofthe vehicle body 14 to allow for 360-degree detection. The autonomousvehicle 10 may have additional sensors disposed around the vehicle body14.

To further assist in autonomous driving, the autonomous vehicle 10includes a GPS module 78 and a transmitter/receiver module 80. The GPSmodule 78 provides real-time satellite global positioning of theautonomous vehicle 10. The transmitter/receiver module 80 is configuredto communicate wirelessly using various communication protocols(Bluetooth, WiFi, LTE, etc.) with a remote operator. The wirelesscommunication may include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V),vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P),vehicle-to-device (V2D), and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) communications.

The autonomous vehicle 10 includes a control module 82 that communicateswith the display assembly 16, the electric motors 24, the actuationdevices 60 and 62, the temperature control device 67, the front sensors74, and the LiDAR sensor 76 via a CAN, wire harness, or other wiringnetwork 84. The control module 82 is a specific purpose controllerhaving, generally, a processor and a memory device having routinesaccessible by the processor. The processor may be any conventionalprocessor, such as commercially available CPUs, dedicatedapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other hardware-basedprocessor. The memory device may be any computing device readable mediumsuch as hard-drives, solid state memory, ROM, RAM, DVD or any othermedium that is capable of storing information that is accessible by theprocessor. The control module 82 may also be a micro-controller having amicro-processor, memory device, and other peripherals embedded on asingle integrated circuit. Although only one control module 82 is shown,it is understood that the autonomous vehicle 10 may include multiplecontrollers or micro-controllers. The routines include algorithms forgenerating path and lane data, object detection, image analysis, GPS andobject detection fusion, algorithms for generating commands to controlthe actuation devices 60, 62 and the electric motors 24, and otherroutines used to autonomously control the autonomous vehicle 10. Thecontrol module 82, the display assembly 16, the electric motors 24, theactuation devices 60 and 62, the temperature control device 67, thefront sensors 74, and the LiDAR sensor 76 are powered by a power source86, such as one or more electric batteries.

The autonomous vehicle 10 includes side panels 90 that are connected tothe exterior side walls 40 of the vehicle body 14. The side panels 90protect debris or other objects from being caught between the roadwheels 22A, 22B and the vehicle body 14. Wheel or hub caps 92 may beattached to the side panels 90 to display emblems or other information.In one embodiment the wheel caps 92 are magnetically attached to theside panels 90 for easy replacement. In another embodiment, theautonomous vehicle 10 includes side lights 94 mounted on the vehiclebody 14.

The autonomous vehicle 10 may be used to autonomously transport objectsbetween locations. For example, a user may call the autonomous vehicle10 to her location using a phone that communicates with the autonomousvehicle 10 using V2D communication. The autonomous vehicle 10 thennavigates to the location of the user and requests an input code orother identification from the user via the display assembly 16. The userthen inputs the code, or the autonomous vehicle 10 uses facialidentification, and opens the door 52. The user then places an objectinto the first compartment 44. Where the compartments 44 and 46 areconnected, the object falls into the drawer 58. The user then indicatesthat the object has been loaded and a destination location, either byvoice command or an input into the display assembly 16. Alternatively,the autonomous vehicle 10 may receive instructions remotely using V2I orV2D communication. The autonomous vehicle 10 then travels to thedestination location using on-board autonomous driving routines andcontrols, as noted above. Once the autonomous vehicle 10 arrives at thedestination, the drawer 58 may then be opened automatically and theobject delivered or dropped when the hinged bottom 66 of the drawer 58opens. Alternatively, autonomous vehicle 10 may request an input code orother identification via the display assembly 16 before unlocking thedoor 52 or the drawer 58.

Turning to FIGS. 5-6, the autonomous vehicle 10 is illustrated with atrailer 100. In one embodiment, the trailer 100 is towed by theautonomous vehicle 10. The trailer 100 includes a housing 102 having afront portion 104 and a rear portion 106. The housing is supported bythree road wheels 108, only two of which are shown. The road wheels 108include two located at the rear portion 106 and one located centrally atthe front portion 104. It should be appreciated that the trailer 100 mayinclude more or less than three road wheels 104. A hitch 110 connectsthe trailer 100 to the autonomous vehicle 10. The hitch 110 isconnectable between the front portion 104 of the trailer 100 and therear 31 of the autonomous vehicle 10. In one embodiment, the autonomousvehicle 10 includes an actuator 112 that engages and disengages with thehitch 110. Thus, the autonomous vehicle 10 may autonomously couple anddecouple from the trailer 100. In one embodiment, the hitch 110 includesan electrical coupling to allow communication and/or energy transferbetween the autonomous vehicle 10 and an electrical system 114 disposedin the trailer 100.

The housing 102 defines a storage area 116 therein for storing one ormore objects. The storage area 116 is accessible by one or more doors118 located on sides 120 of the housing 102. The storage area 116 andthe doors 118 may have various configurations and shapes. A lockingmechanism 122 communicates with the electrical system 114 andselectively locks and unlocks the door 118. In one embodiment, thetrailer 100 includes a temperature control device 124 that is connectedto the storage area 116 and is controlled by the electrical system 114.The temperature control device 124 is a heating and/or cooling mechanismthat is configured to regulate a temperature of the environment withinthe storage area 116.

In one embodiment, the trailer 100 includes one or more sensors 126 incommunication with the electrical system 114 and thus with theautonomous vehicle 10 when coupled by the hitch 110. In the exampleprovided, the sensor 126 is located on a top surface 128 of the housing104 near the rear portion 106. The sensor 126 may be a LiDAR sensor, anultrasonic sensor, or a camera used to provide object information behindthe trailer 100 to the autonomous vehicle 10.

In another embodiment, the trailer 100 includes a GPS module 130 and atransmitter/receiver module 132. The GPS module 130 provides real-timesatellite global positioning of the trailer 100. Thetransmitter/receiver module 132 is configured to communicate wirelesslyusing various communication protocols (Bluetooth, WiFi, LTE, etc.) witha remote system. The wireless communication may includevehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I),vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), vehicle-to-device (V2D), andvehicle-to-grid (V2G) communications. The transmitter/receiver module132 is configured to provide the location of the trailer 100 using theGPS coordinates from the GPS module 130.

The trailer 100 includes a power source 134 separate from the autonomousvehicle 10. The power source 134 may include one or more electricbatteries in electrical communication with the electrical system 114.The power source 134 provides power to lock mechanism 122, thetemperature control device 124, the sensor 126, the GPS module 130, andthe transmitter/receiver module 132. When the trailer 100 is connectedto the autonomous vehicle 10, the power source 134 may be used to powerthe autonomous vehicle 10, thus acting as a charging station or extendedbattery pack. In one embodiment, the power source 134 substantiallyfills the storage space 116 and provides a mobile charging station formultiple autonomous vehicles or electric passenger vehicles. Theautonomous vehicle 10 may be in electrical communication with theautonomous trailer 200 via conduction or a plug-in connection.

The autonomous vehicle 10 and trailer 100 may be used to autonomouslytransport objects between locations. For example, a user may call theautonomous vehicle 10 to her location using a phone that communicateswith the autonomous vehicle 10 using V2D communication. The autonomousvehicle 10 then navigates to the location of the user pulling thetrailer 100 to the location. The autonomous vehicle 10 may then detachfrom the trailer 100 and leave the trailer 100 at the destinationlocation. A user may then interact with the trailer 100 to deposit orretrieve an object within the storage space 116. The autonomous vehicle10 may then return and reattach to the trailer 100 to move the trailer100 to another location, as needed.

With reference to FIGS. 7-10, the autonomous vehicle 10 is shown with anautonomous trailer 200. The autonomous trailer 200 is generally used inconjunction or independently with the autonomous vehicle 10 fortransporting one or more objects from at least a first location to atleast a second location autonomously. The first location and the secondlocation may be in any number of places within a locality or range ofthe autonomous trailer 200. The autonomous trailer 200 is similar to thetrailer 100 but includes autonomous driving functionality, as will bedescribed below.

The autonomous trailer 200 includes a housing 202 having a front portion204 and a rear portion 206. The housing 202 includes a control section208 located at the front portion 204. The housing is supported by threeroad wheels 209, only two of which are shown. The road wheels 209include two located at the rear portion 206 and one located centrally atthe front portion 204. It should be appreciated that the autonomoustrailer 200 may include more or less than three road wheels 209. One orall of the road wheels 209 is driven by a drive mechanism 210. The drivemechanism 210 may be similar to the drive assembly 12 of the autonomousvehicle 10 and generally includes one or more electric motors thatprovide a drive force to the road wheels 209.

A hitch 211 connects the autonomous trailer 200 to the autonomousvehicle 10. The hitch 211 is connectable between the front portion 204of the autonomous trailer 200 and the rear 31 of the autonomous vehicle10. In an alternative embodiment, a hitch 211′, indicated by dashedlines in FIG. 8, extends down from the control section 208 of thehousing 202. The hitch 211′ operates in substantially the same manner asthe hitch 211 and therefore only the hitch 211 will be described herein.In one embodiment, the autonomous vehicle 10 includes an actuator 212that engages and disengages with the hitch 211. Thus, the autonomousvehicle 10 may autonomously couple and decouple from the autonomoustrailer 200. In one embodiment, the hitch 211 includes an electricalcoupling to allow communication and/or energy transfer between theautonomous vehicle 10 and an electrical system 214 disposed in theautonomous trailer 200. Alternatively, the autonomous vehicle 10 may bein electrical communication with the autonomous trailer 200 viaconduction.

The housing 202 defines a storage area 216 therein for storing one ormore objects, items, packages, etc. The storage area 216 is accessibleby one or more doors 218 located on sides 220 of the housing 202. Thestorage area 216 and the doors 218 may have various configurations andshapes. A locking mechanism 222 communicates with the electrical system214 and selectively locks and unlocks the door 218. In one embodiment,the autonomous trailer 200 includes a temperature control device 224that is connected to the storage area 216 and is controlled by theelectrical system 214. The temperature control device 224 is a heatingand/or cooling mechanism that is configured to regulate a temperature ofthe environment within the storage area 216.

The autonomous trailer 200 further includes a sensor suite used toprovide lane and path navigation as well as object detection. In theexample provided, the sensor suite includes front sensors 226 and aLiDAR sensor 227. The front sensors 226 may include cameras orultrasonic sensors. The front sensors 226 are mounted to the controlsection 208 of the housing 202. The LiDAR sensor 227 is mounted to a topsurface 228 of the housing 202 to allow for 360-degree detection. Theautonomous trailer 200 may have additional sensors disposed around thehousing 202. The front sensors 226 and the LiDAR sensor 227 are incommunication with the electrical system 214 and thus with theautonomous vehicle 10 when coupled by the hitch 211.

The autonomous trailer 200 includes a GPS module 230 and atransmitter/receiver module 232. The GPS module 230 provides real-timesatellite global positioning of the autonomous trailer 200. Thetransmitter/receiver module 232 is configured to communicate wirelesslyusing various communication protocols (Bluetooth, WiFi, LTE, etc.) witha remote system. The wireless communication may includevehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I),vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), vehicle-to-device (V2D), andvehicle-to-grid (V2G) communications. The transmitter/receiver module232 is configured to provide the location of the autonomous trailer 200using the GPS coordinates from the GPS module 230 and to assist inautonomous driving of the autonomous trailer 200.

The autonomous trailer 200 includes a power source 234 separate from theautonomous vehicle 10. The power source 234 may include one or moreelectric batteries in electrical communication with the electricalsystem 214. The power source 234 provides power to the drive mechanism210, the lock mechanism 222, the temperature control device 224, thesensors 226, 227, the GPS module 230, and the transmitter/receivermodule 232. When the autonomous trailer 200 is connected to theautonomous vehicle 10, the power source 234 may be used to power theautonomous vehicle 10, thus acting as a charging station or extendedbattery pack. In one embodiment, the power source 234 substantiallyfills the storage space 216 and provides a mobile charging station formultiple autonomous vehicles or electric passenger vehicles.

The autonomous trailer 200 includes a control module 235 thatcommunicates with the electrical system 214. The control module 235 is aspecific purpose controller having a processor and a memory devicehaving routines accessible by the processor. The processor may be anyconventional processor, such as commercially available CPUs, dedicatedapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other hardware-basedprocessor. The memory device may be any computing device readable mediumsuch as hard-drives, solid state memory, ROM, RAM, DVD or any othermedium that is capable of storing information that is accessible by theprocessor. The control module 235 may also be a micro-controller havinga micro-processor, memory device, and other peripherals embedded on asingle integrated circuit. Although only one control module 235 isshown, it is understood that the autonomous trailer 200 may includemultiple controllers or micro-controllers. The routines includealgorithms for generating path and lane data, object detection, imageanalysis, GPS and object detection fusion, algorithms for generatingcommands to control the drive mechanism 210, and other routines used toautonomously control the autonomous trailer 200.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, in several embodiments the autonomoustrailer 200 includes a means for autonomously moving an object betweenthe autonomous vehicle 10 and the autonomous trailer 200. For example,as shown in FIG. 9, the autonomous vehicle may include a roboticmanipulator 250 coupled to the housing 202. The robotic manipulator 250is configured to grasp objects located within the storage space 216 andplace them in the first or second compartments 44, 46 of the autonomousvehicle 10 and vice versa.

As another example, as shown in FIG. 10, the autonomous trailer 200includes a passage 252 that communicates from the storage space 216,through the control section 208, and to the first compartment 44 of theautonomous vehicle 10. A mechanism 254, such as a robotic arm and/orconveyor belt, moves objects from the storage space 216 and through thepassage 252 to drop the object into the first compartment 44.

The autonomous vehicle 10 and autonomous trailer 200 may be used toautonomously transport objects between locations. For example, a user ordistribution system may order the autonomous vehicle 10 and autonomoustrailer 200 to a location. The order may be made using a phone via V2Dcommunication, as part of a distribution network using V2Icommunication, or any other method. The autonomous vehicle 10 thennavigates to the destination location pulling the autonomous trailer 200to the location. The autonomous trailer 200 may then place an objectinto the autonomous vehicle 10 for delivery at a location the autonomoustrailer 200 cannot reach, such as areas accessible only by stairs orinside buildings. Thus, the autonomous vehicle 10 detaches from theautonomous trailer 200 and navigates to the final drop off location, asdescribed above.

In another example, the autonomous trailer 100, 200 may act without theautonomous vehicle 10 to transport objects between locations. Theautonomous trailer 100, 200 may use autonomous driving to follow aspecific motor vehicle, thus acting as a remote trailer to the motorvehicle. For example, the autonomous trailer 100, 200 may use objectdetection and recognition via front sensors 226 to follow a particularlicense plate.

In another example, the autonomous trailer 100, 200 may act without theautonomous vehicle 10 to transport objects between locations inside abuilding. The autonomous trailer 100, 200 may use autonomous driving tofollow a person walking inside, for example, a hospital or a parkingstructure, thus acting as a remote trailer to the person. The autonomoustrailer 100, 200 may use object detection and recognition via frontsensors 226 to follow a particular person.

In yet another example, the autonomous trailer 100, 200 may act withoutthe autonomous vehicle 10 to transport objects between locations byusing autonomous driving to follow a bicycle or a motorbike, thus actingas a remote trailer to a two wheel or three wheel operated vehicle. Forexample, the autonomous trailer 100, 200 may use object detection andrecognition via front sensors 226 to follow a motorbike or a bicycle.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature andvariations that do not depart from the gist of the invention areintended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

The following is claimed:
 1. An autonomous system for transporting anitem from a first location to a second location, the autonomous systemcomprising: an autonomous vehicle having a compartment, a vehiclesensor, a vehicle drive mechanism, a vehicle power source, and a vehiclecontrol module for processing data received by the vehicle sensor andfor controlling the vehicle drive mechanism to move the autonomousvehicle in the environment according to destination instructions andaccording to data received by the vehicle sensor; and a trailer having ahitch for connecting the trailer to the autonomous vehicle, anelectrical system, a trailer sensor in communication with the electricalsystem, a trailer power source in communication with the electricalsystem, a storage space, and a mechanism for autonomously transferringthe item from the storage space into the compartment of the autonomousvehicle, wherein the autonomous vehicle and trailer are configured totransport the item to the first location, the trailer is configured totransfer the item to the autonomous vehicle, and the autonomous vehicleis configured to transport the item to the second location.
 2. Theautonomous system of claim 1 wherein the mechanism includes a roboticmanipulator in communication with the electrical system.
 3. Theautonomous system of claim 2 wherein the robotic manipulator is coupledto a body of the trailer and is configured to access the storage space,grasp the item, remove the item from the storage space, and deposit theitem into the compartment of the autonomous vehicle when the autonomousvehicle is disconnected from the trailer.
 4. The autonomous system ofclaim 1 wherein the mechanism includes a passage formed in a body of thetrailer and a device for moving the item through the passage, whereinthe passage communicates between the storage space and the compartmentof the autonomous vehicle when the autonomous vehicle is connected tothe trailer.
 5. The autonomous system of claim 4 wherein the trailerincludes a control section that is disposed overtop the compartment ofthe autonomous vehicle when the trailer is connected to the autonomousvehicle, and wherein the passage extends through the control section. 6.The autonomous system of claim 1 wherein the trailer includes a trailercontrol module and a trailer drive mechanism each in communication withthe electrical system, wherein the trailer control module is configuredto process data received by the trailer sensor and to control thetrailer drive mechanism to move the trailer in the environment accordingto destination instructions and according to data received by thetrailer sensor.
 7. The autonomous system of claim 6 wherein the trailersensor is configured to sense a passenger vehicle and the control moduleis configured to control the drive mechanism to follow the passengervehicle.
 8. The autonomous system of claim 6 wherein the trailer furtherincludes a GPS module and a transmitter/receiver module in communicationwith the electrical system.
 9. The autonomous system of claim 1 whereinthe autonomous vehicle is in electrical communication via wirelessconduction with the trailer power source when the trailer is connectedto the autonomous vehicle.
 10. The autonomous system of claim 1 whereinthe vehicle control module controls the vehicle drive mechanism to movethe autonomous vehicle and the trailer in the environment according todestination instructions and according to data received by the vehiclesensor and the trailer sensor when the trailer is connected to theautonomous vehicle.
 11. The autonomous system of claim 1 wherein theautonomous vehicle includes a delivery portal in communication with thecompartment.
 12. The autonomous system of claim 11 wherein thecompartment is selectively covered by a door and the delivery portalincludes a drawer disposed therein.
 13. The autonomous system of claim 1wherein the storage space of the trailer is temperature controlled. 14.An autonomous system for transporting an item from a first location to asecond location, the autonomous system comprising: an autonomous vehiclehaving a compartment, a vehicle sensor, a vehicle drive mechanism, avehicle power source, and a vehicle control module for processing datareceived by the vehicle sensor and for controlling the vehicle drivemechanism to move the autonomous vehicle in the environment according todestination instructions and according to data received by the vehiclesensor; and a trailer having a hitch for connecting the trailer to theautonomous vehicle, an electrical system, a trailer sensor incommunication with the electrical system, a trailer power source incommunication with the electrical system, a storage space, and a roboticmanipulator in communication with the electrical system for autonomouslytransferring the item from the storage space into the compartment of theautonomous vehicle, wherein the autonomous vehicle and trailer areconfigured to transport the item to the first location, the trailer isconfigured to transfer the item to the autonomous vehicle, and theautonomous vehicle is configured to transport the item to the secondlocation.
 15. The autonomous system of claim 14 wherein the roboticmanipulator is coupled to a body of the trailer and is configured toaccess the storage space, grasp the item, remove the item from thestorage space, and deposit the item into the compartment of theautonomous vehicle when the autonomous vehicle is disconnected from thetrailer.
 16. An autonomous system for transporting an item from a firstlocation to a second location, the autonomous system comprising: anautonomous vehicle having a compartment, a vehicle sensor, a vehicledrive mechanism, a vehicle power source, and a vehicle control modulefor processing data received by the vehicle sensor and for controllingthe vehicle drive mechanism to move the autonomous vehicle in theenvironment according to destination instructions and according to datareceived by the vehicle sensor; and a trailer having a hitch forconnecting the trailer to the autonomous vehicle, an electrical system,a trailer sensor in communication with the electrical system, a trailerpower source in communication with the electrical system, a storagespace, a passage formed in a body of the trailer, and a device formoving the item through the passage, wherein the passage communicatesbetween the storage space and the compartment of the autonomous vehiclewhen the autonomous vehicle is connected to the trailer, wherein theautonomous vehicle and trailer are configured to transport the item tothe first location, the trailer is configured to transfer the item tothe autonomous vehicle, and the autonomous vehicle is configured totransport the item to the second location.
 17. The autonomous system ofclaim 16 wherein the trailer includes a control section that is disposedovertop the compartment of the autonomous vehicle when the trailer isconnected to the autonomous vehicle, and wherein the passage extendsthrough the control section.